The Municipal Assembly of Odemira has expressed its “profound concern and opposition” over the closure of 16 places at the Long-Term Unit of the Integrated Continuing Care Unit (UCCI) in Odemira, operated by the local Santa Casa da Misericórdia.
In a motion unanimously approved and presented by the PS parliamentary group, assembly members argued that “the closure of the unit, allegedly due to difficulties in hiring human resources, represents a serious setback in access to health care and social support in the municipality of Odemira.”
This situation directly affects “the most vulnerable populations such as the elderly, people in situations of prolonged dependency, and those without family support,” the motion titled “For a Proximity Response in Continuing Care in Odemira” added.
The document also noted that Odemira has “particularly sensitive demographic and territorial characteristics,” with “more than 25%” of the resident population being over 65 years old and an elderly dependency rate exceeding 40% in the municipality.
This prompted assembly members to “express their opposition to the closure decision” of the 16 UCCI places.
The motion also urged the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Work, Solidarity and Social Security, the Alentejo Regional Health Administration, and the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Odemira to reconsider and reverse the decision, “ensuring the human and financial resources necessary for the full maintenance of the unit.”
The motion also demanded that the União das Misericórdias Portuguesas (UMP) proceed with a “revision of salary tables, so they become competitive with the conditions practiced in the public and private sectors, thus allowing for the retention of professionals in these institutions.”
Rui Cristina, a Chega party deputy elected by Beja, also expressed his “profound concern” over the closure of the 16 UCCI places in Odemira, formally questioning Health Minister Ana Paula Martins on the matter.
In a statement sent today, the Chega deputy described the situation as “a serious threat to the basic right of access to health care, especially for the most vulnerable.”
“We are witnessing an unacceptable setback in a region already marked by significant disparities, low population density, mobility difficulties, and a lack of adequate social and health responses,” Rui Cristina added.
The Chega parliamentarian further highlighted “the fragility of the continued care model” in Portugal, “highly dependent on the social sector, which, without adequate funding or attractive salary conditions, cannot attract or retain professionals.”
He therefore requested “clarifications from the Government on any possible reevaluation of the closure decision, as well as information on the existence of a national strategy to ensure the stability and appreciation of human resources in continuing care units, particularly in interior regions.”
“We cannot continue to passively witness the silent dismantling of public services outside the major urban centers,” he concluded.
